Several years ago, i did the AOS in my 2004. It was messy, laborious, but overall uneventful. Saturday i did the same job on my 2000S. The mechanical design of the older style AOS (and the block) makes the process very different, as I'll explain.
The 2003-4 style AOS has the securing bolts as well as the push-fit nipple (both of which go to the block/crankcase) facing directly down. You can simply push it down to seat, from above. On the older style (in my case MT2000) the blots and the push-fit nipple are at a ~90 degree angle, facing in toward the center of the car. There is no access t push directly, nor any convenient want to get a lever on it.
In my case anyway, it took a lot of force to seat the nipple. Even after I pushed as best I could, and secured to two bolts, about 1/8” of the orange nipple remains visible (the other 3/8-1/2” is in the block). I see no leaks, but it bothers me.
How did others deal with this? Can I get access if I were to raise the car higher and remove the diagonal brace? Do I need Gandalf’s staff?
Anyway, if others have wrestled with this, any experience or advice is appreciated.
TIA,
Grant
Grant
gee-lenahan-at-gee-mail-dot-com